Bonding time in Sorsogon

I just got back from a three-day and three-night trip to Sorsogon with dear friends. Suky Lamoglia and Raqui Garcia are kindred spirits I met in Monaco while I was there to get an award, and Raqui was the event organizer. They turned out to be such passionate supporters of the environment. Rose Ann Belmonte and I are friends because our sons are friends. I have two sons who are in the same age bracket as her two sons. So we would spent Christmases and vacations together. We met in Waldorf, then our kids migrated to Phil. Montessori together, then went to IS together. These friendships last a lifetime. Otta Uy and I are grade school classmates. In high school, we got really close. I still remember my adolescence with fondness. Cristina Tabora handles marketing for the Green Initiative. I like teasing that she is the first girlfriend of my then heartthrob cousin and played Maria at the Sound of Music play fielded by then Maryknoll College. She is the sister of Father Joel Tabora — the current president of Ateneo de Davao. Cristina was also the vice president for PR and marketing for Hyatt International in Chicago for 20 years. It was such a fun group, light spirits and sharing the same passion for the environment and helping others.

Our conclusion was unanimous. Sorsogon is a must destination. Plan your summer ahead. To think that we have barely scratched the surface. We stayed at Siama — a new hotel in Sorsogon owned by Milo and Kate Naval. Kate’s father is the governor of Sorsogon and her mother is the Mayor.

The family is very simple and unassuming. I am particularly fond of Sally Lee — the mayor of Sorsogon. I find her heart very pure and giving. She is deeply religious and amazingly energetic for her years.

Milo is a member of the famed Movement 8 — a group of creative Filipino design geniuses. It shows in the interiors and architecture of the hotel. I particularly like his furniture. View this link or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiCKkmUFuwc&feature=youtu.be — which my friend Otta took and you will understand why I like the hotel. You may also type SIAMA on YouTube to watch this video. Their website is siamahotel.com

We went there mostly for the Kasanggayan Festival, which is a celebration of the prosperity of Sorsogon. It was also the soft opening of Siama — a brilliant idea to inject life into the economy. A day before we went to Bacman — the site of the geo thermal plant managed by Energy Development Corporation (EDC), one of the Lopez Group of Companies.

Bacman

The name is a combination of two municipalities — Bacon and Manito districts. I was taken aback by the gorgeousness of the place. Detractors can talk all they want. The fact is the operations of the facility have in no way detracted from the lushness of the place. I would even use the adjective majestic. We were first brought to the butterfly garden. If the air was bad, the butterflies would not have been able to thrive… Well they were alive and kicking amid beautiful landscaping.

Then we went to the rescue center, where EDC keeps animals who have been rescued. I thoroughly enjoyed feeding the deer. Next stop was the view. They wanted to show me flying bats. What I saw were sleeping bats on trees. The scenery and lushness of the place continued to be a feast for my eyes and my soul.

The best part for me was cooking eggs in the hot springs. There were pools of boiling water in the ground — steam all around. I was told this steam is even good for the face. Great potential for a nature spa. I have a preference for soft-boiled eggs. By the third try, I got what I wanted. Yum! What got my attention was the different colored clay. Orange, sky blue, gray... I took some samples with me to Manila. I will have it tested. In Israel the Dead Sea salt is used in a variety of cosmetic products that are sold all over the world. If this clay is good, it is a much better sell than salt . It is alive — and bathed in organic nature colors. View this link to give you a feel of Bacman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDwX7FMPK6Q&feature=youtu.b

The next day we went to Bulusan Lake. This was the first time I walked around the lake. My “wow” sentiment was shared by the entire group. Unfortunately we did not have the time to go up into the forest. I wanted to experience nature. Although walking around the perimeter was a treat, nothing beats going inside....

Otta deserves special mention. I hadn’t seen her for over a year. I live in Quezon City so my life is work and dinner with my sons. She lives in Makati. With traffic, sometimes Makati can feel like the other side of the world. We are both turning senior this year. I thought I was healthy. She takes the cake. Slim and still very sexy she has the energy of a 20-year old. She fast walked up and down the hills without any help at all — and still wanted more! My security had to help me especially going down. Maybe it’s the Yoga. She is very much into Iyengar and now goes to the Urban Ashram in Pasig. She raves about Rina Ortiz who has a studio in Rockwell. Whatever, if it works, it works. Whatever she is doing works.

In the afternoon we viewed a celebration of the First Mass ever held in Luzon. I was impressed with the choreography and the artistry of the celebration. The festivities continued in the evening. The highlight was listening of Himig ng Kapitolyo. These are individuals whom Gov. Raul Lee had been training since they were high school. Ohh... you need to listen to them. Every single member there can not only sing — they can belt it out. They even have three tenors — who mimic Pavarotti, Carreras and Domingo. Unreal. They are really really good!

Raqui gamely and ably joined the group. I so wanted Cristina to sing with us, but she was not feeling well. Her tooth was hurting. So I gave her some VCO and asked her to “oil pull” (swishing vco in the mouth for 20 minutes then spitting it out)

Guess what? The next day she was fine! So I got a new convert to oil pulling. In my store G Stuff, we will have organically flavored oil for oil pulling. With cloves, tea tree or oregano, which all have anti-bacterial properties.

The next day I cut the ribbon opening their Trade Exhibition. I was elated to see all the products and handicrafts. I met with the mayors. Sorsogon should not be poor. They have so much! In the afternoon we street danced together with the governor for about two kilometers.

What a trip... and what a fitting ending seeing and feeling the presence of Mayon Volcano before we boarded the plane.

I had a lovely lovely time. The company was great. The place has so much potential. Since I only read the newspapers coming back, I was saddened to know about the earthquake in Bohol. It just further emphasized to me the fact that the Philippines is in a geo hazard zone. We have earthquakes and typhoons yearly.

This is why I am so against the digging and using of explosives near our rivers and streams. If we play our cards right, we can be like Batanes which had the worst typhoon in the history of the planet and not one person was killed or hurt.

The Divine gave us the resources to have our lives come up. We even have the resources to protect us... we just need to play our cards right. Visit Sorsogon and you will know and feel exactly what I mean. Just as important come to the opening of G Stuff this weekend — the money goes to help communities around the country.

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I can be reached at regina_lopez@abs-cbn.com.